Upper Providence Ninja' arrested; charged with attempted homicide

UPPER PROVIDENCE — The man police say dressed like a ninja and attacked a Sycamore Mills Road man with a hammer Tuesday morning is behind bars charged with attempted homicide.

Lititz police arrested Michael Norley Jr., 29, Tuesday night at his home in the first block of E. Lemon Street. Upper Providence police picked him up at 6 p.m. and returned him to Delaware County to face charges.

According to Police Chief David Montella, Norley admitted to beating his uncle and former employer with a hammer earlier in the day.

“Norley was questioned and admitted to his involvement in the brutal attack,” Montella said. “Norley also provided information regarding the location of the weapon as well as his ninja attire.”

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Police worked well into the night to locate the weapon – a ball-peen hammer used by machinists for metalworking - about 100 yards from the crime scene.

“Norley’s blood-stained clothes were recovered about a mile away from the crime scene in a heavily wooded area near Ridley Creek State Park,” Montella said.

The violent attack took place at about 8 a.m. Tuesday in the 800 block of Sycamore Mills Road, police said.

The victim, a 57-year-old man, was taking the trash out to the curb for pickup when he noticed what appeared to be a pile of rolled up black clothing near the trash cans. When he looked closer, he saw the pile move then realized it was a person, dressed in black, with a full helmet and face shield, according to the affidavit of probable cause written by Detective Sgt. Michael Langdale.

The masked man in black jumped up and began swinging a hammer at the victim, striking him in the head, the affidavit states. The victim fell backward, as his attacker continued to beat him with the hammer, according to the affidavit.

Struggling to get back on his feet, the victim got up and ran toward the front of his home. When he reached the front porch, he tripped and fell on the steps. The attacker, right behind him, swung his hammer at the victim again, but this time the victim kicked with his leg, striking his assailant in the front of the helmet, authorities allege. This dislodged the helmet covering the attacker’s face. The victim immediately recognized his assailant as his nephew Michael Norley, the affidavit states.

Bleeding heavily and fearing for his life, the 57-year old man began screaming his nephew’s name in an attempt to identify his attacker to his family inside of the house, according to the affidavit. The victim’s screams prompted Norley to run into a wooded area near the house, police said. The victim told police he ran inside and grabbed his firearm fearing Norley would return and enter his home, the affidavit states.

The victim’s family, awakened by his screams, found him bloodied and called for emergency medical assistance.

The man, whose name was not released, was transported to Crozer-Chester Medical Center, where he was admitted for severe head trauma, police said.

Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Norley, and contacted police in Lititz. Officers in the Lancaster County community saw Norley’s vehicle in front of his home, confirmed he was inside and took him into custody without incident.

Norley was arraigned Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge Nicholas Lippincott on charges including criminal attempt homicide, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person. He was remanded to Delaware County prison in lieu of $500,000 cash bail.

Police want to assure residents of Sycamore Mills Road that the attack was not a random incident.

“This was a targeted attack,” said Langdale. “He was lying in wait for this man.”